Out of Focus
I love making people
gifts, do you? I like the time it takes to make them. I spend the time thinking
about them and praying for them. It’s special.
I also hate making
gifts. I spend the time worry about whether it will turn out right, whether
they will like it, and wondering if I’ve wasted all these hours because they
won’t like it and it won’t turn out right.
Nothing I have ever
made has turned out perfectly. I try, but there is always some flaw or another.
And I’m always foolish enough to point out the flaws as I apologetically give
the gift. Do you know what the receivers always say?
“Oh, I wouldn’t have
noticed if you hadn’t said anything.”
Or just…
“It’s perfect!”
They
don’t see the flaws. They see the good. They see the time and the love that was
put into making it.
I’m
constantly amazed at how much my kids love me. I feel like I have failed them
so many times. How many times have I snapped at them unnecessarily because I
was preoccupied with my own problems? How many times have I lost patience with
them?
And yet,
if they have only been away from me for as long as a midwife appointment, I am
greeted with joyful shouts of “Mommy!” and them running at me with open arms.
They are so happy to see me. They make it seem like I am the best mother in the
world.
My kids
don’t focus on my flaws. They don’t focus on my mistakes. Yes they are hurt by
them, but they only see the flaws as a small part of me. They look at me and
think of someone who loves and cares for them. Someone who kisses their boo
boos and defends them when a sibling wrongs them. They think of the yummy meals
I’ve made them and the special activities we have fun doing together. They see
the good that far outweighs the mistakes.
I need to
shift my focus. I need to look at the whole picture, not the tiny mistakes. Of
course correcting our mistakes and trying not to repeat them is a healthy part
of life, but if we obsess over the mistakes we miss the good.
So when I
look at this crochet doll I made for a friend’s daughter, I’m going to make
myself focus on the pretty colors I chose and the hours that the little girl
will probably enjoy playing with her. I’m not going to focus on the fact that
her eyes aren’t symmetrical (I stink at symmetry, and that’s OK). I’m excited
to give it to her.
Have a
good day, mamas!
Lee
Wow! Your so talented. That's amazing!
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